Sweet Offerings

Valentine's Day. Some people hate it, curse it and otherwise ignore it. I'm not one of those people.
Pink is my favorite color and I have a sweet tooth the size of Alaska. So a day that's big on both... yeah, I love it.

I don't get caught up in the 'Hallmarkiness' of the day though. John and I tend to avoid crowded restaurants and rarely exchange 'gifts'.  However, if I happen to get flowers, or cupcakes, or something pretty and sparkly from the hubs... well, I don't hate that either.

I like to celebrate it the way we did as kids, before romance was involved, by telling my friends how much I love them. And, since my best friend IS my husband he fits in quite nicely to the loveliness of the day :)

In honor of Valentine's Day I am spreading some love to my friends by sharing a sweet offer on Engagement Photo Sessions.

Book an E Session in the month of February and I'll give you a $20 credit on your print order!*

*A session is considered booked after a date has been selected and a 50% retainer fee has been paid. 
*Session must be booked on or before 2/28/2011. 
*Session date must be before 12/31/2011. 

Craft time is the right time... to cover your hands with glue.

Today I'm being crafty, working on a surprise for a special someone, and I realized I don't have the right kind of glue.  I have the kind that comes in a brown jar with a brush in it and I have glue sticks, but what I need is Elmer's glue.

I don't know about you, but I can't look at a bottle of Elmer's School Glue without fighting the urge to coat my hands in glue.  My palms to be exact. You know what I'm talking about. Grade school. Craft time. Glue.  First, you smear glue on your hand. Let it dry and repeat until you have a glue handprint. Then, you peel it off trying to keep your glue handprint in one piece. Y'all did this too, right??

Here's a tee-tiny hint at what I'm making.

Focus on Fitness

Bobbi + Mike are a husband and wife photography team based in Indianapolis. I've followed their blog for a while and Bobbi periodically blogs about being on the healthy train. She recently started a new train and I hopped on. Now that Olivia is 10 months old I don't feel like I can get away with the "I just had a baby" excuse any longer. I also subscribe to the school of thought that my image is a division of my brand. I believe that brides book out of emotion and want a photographer that is not just going to snap great pictures, but also someone that is going to help make their wedding experience fun and fabulous. In the end, what makes Jessi D Photography different than the hundreds of great photographers in the area (other than price at the moment)? ME. JDP is the only place that has me.

Since I am selling myself as much (if not more) than my skills as a photographer I think it is important to look and feel my best. If I am confident behind the camera, my brides will be confident in front of it.

Fitness is also another way for me to connect to my clients. I don't know a woman that didn't think about getting in shape before her wedding. Even naturally thin (lucky!) girls want to look their absolute best on their wedding day. Wouldn't it be awesomesauce to find new running buddies this way?

So, I am introducing the first 'column' on my blog. Focus on Fitness.

Today's FoF starts with a thank you to Bobbi for the encouragement. Next is a shout out to the Y's up at Hampstead. You are always clean and non-judgy. I love that your cardio room is upstairs with a view of the beautiful Hampstead farm. I love/hate your gravity classes that give me noodle legs. The only thing I don't like about you is that you make me wish I lived in Hampstead, and that just isn't in the budget... for now :)

This month I am focusing on cardio so these shoes are my besties. I. Heart. ASICS.

Looking Past the Fear

I wouldn't call myself a control freak, but maybe (if I'm keeping it real) I should. I am impatient and imperfect and I get anxious waiting. I'm going through a transitional phase trying to create a new normal - a new daily routine. Now that I'm my own boss I have to learn to be productive, while not being too hard on myself.
I also have to take a huge step out of my comfort zone and ask others for help. My success this year relies heavily on other photographers and brave clients willing to take a chance on a newbie.

I am committed to put in the work, now I have to look past the fear and move forward.

*This may seem like a random portrait, but I was experimenting when I took it and I absolutely adore it. It's a reminder for me to try new things and take risks.